Security Policy

Virtual Card Services (VCS) process all credit card transactions. All credit card transactions are 128 bit Secure Socket Layers (SSL) encrypted. The company registration documents and the site's registered domain name are checked and verified by Thawte, ensuring the cardholder and merchant that nobody can impersonate VCS to obtain confidential information.

VCS is committed to providing secure online services. All encryption complies with international standards. Encryption is used to protect the transmission of personal information when completing online transactions. VCS Internet servers are protected by firewalls and intrusion detection systems. The Merchant does not have access to credit details. VCS continually reviews and enhances its security in line with technological changes.

All transactions will be processed in South African Rands (ZAR). We accept credit card payments via the website in which case 'Virtual Card Acquiring' will reflect on the card holder's statement.

Improweb Demo Site is pleased to announce that we now support MasterCard SecureCode and Verified by VISA, major new initiatives from MasterCard and Visa that make our customers much less vulnerable to fraud. MasterCard SecureCode and Verified by Visa provide the technology that enables a cardholder's identity to be verified online, using a password at the time of purchase. The process of verifying the cardholder's identity is called 'cardholder authentication'. The introduction of cardholder authentication is an important step towards making trading online more secure and reducing the risk of fraud in the non-face-to-face environment.

How do you protect yourself?

The VCS payment gateway pages are 3D Secure compliant and conform to the Verified by Visa and Mastercard Securecode online security platform.

So for those who frequently shop online and wish to ensure their credit card details may not be fraudulently used, you will need to sign up for 3D Secure - which is an added security measure (and verification procedure) employed by the major credit card issuers - before your card will be processed online.

You will only need to enrol for 3D Secure once (for each credit card you own) to be able to safely shop online in the future. This is a 2 step process and can be instantly completed online via your bank's website and is a necessary procedure to ensure peace of mind whilst making online purchases.

The following are links to the 3D Secure activation (and enrolment) pages provide by your bank. Please choose the bank that your credit card was issued by:

Through Verified by Visa and MasterCard Secure Code, your Nedbank card can be protected against unauthorised use when shopping online. All you need to do is enrol yourself online and once activated your card number cannot be used for purchases without your personal password.

Enrolling yourself

To shop online you are required to enrol and activate your card(s) for this service. You will not be able to shop at participating merchants if you have not activated your card(s).

About the activation process:

When activating your card you will need to provide the following details:

Card number

Card verification value, which is the last three numbers on the signature panel on the back of your card

Expiry date

Name embossed on the card - please enter your name exactly as it appears in either the ID or passport, which Nedbank has on record from when you opened your card account and update as per FICA requirements;

Email address if available

To finalise activation a secure PIN will be sent to your cellphone. This pin must be entered online and you will then be prompted to enter your own personal password. When this is completed you are activated and ready to shop online.

Frequent Questions

More Information

Using a Standard Bank credit or cheque card to pay for goods and services over the Internet is now more secure with our Secure Internet Shopping service.

This added security service is free to you and easy to set up. All you need to do is activate your card for Secure Internet Shopping service and you can start shopping online at participating merchants with the peace-of-mind you deserve.

To activate your card for Secure Internet Shopping, you will need to enter a few details and choose a PIN you'll enter when making online purchases.

Secure Internet Shopping from Standard Bank is in line with MasterCard and Visa's secure online shopping initiatives in the form of MasterCard SecureCode and Verified by Visa.

Merchants participating in Secure Internet Shopping service will accept payment with a Standard Bank card only if you have activated your card for the service. Note that you will not be able to use your card to shop online at participating merchants unless you have activated your card for the service.

Benefits of Secure Internet Shopping

It guarantees your online shopping payments.

It increases security because your card is activated and it is access controlled with a PIN that you choose.

Once activates it ensures that nobody else can use your card details for shopping online.

How Secure Internet Shopping works
Once your card has been activated and you have selected your own secret username and PIN, you will automatically be prompted by us to enter your secret PIN, when paying for your goods or services at participating merchants. We will verify this and the transaction will be completed.

Your secret PIN should never be shared with anyone. It works in the same way as entering your PIN at an ATM.

About the activation process
When activating your card you will need to provide the following:

Card number

Card verification value, which is the last three numbers on the signature panel on the back of your card

For further informationClick here for answers to some questions you may have. Should you still have questions, call us on 0861 201 311 (South Africa only) or +27 11 241 1311, email us at ss@standardbank.co.za.

Online shopping is always a pleasure, but also risky. That's why VISA has developed technology, such as 3D Secure, which is designed to protect you whilst you shop.

Endorsed by MasterCard and supported by Absa, 3D Secure protects you (the cardholder) and the merchant by verifying your personal details during an online purchase, prior to the transaction being processed.

How does it work?Merchants are required to participate in the 3D Secure environment by using a software module called Merchant Plug-in (MPI). This software authenticates your personal details by means of a personal password and/or identity information during the online purchase process. This is entered on a secure and confidential screen, thus ensuring your safety against unauthorised use of card information.